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An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom: A Little Guide to Mystery, Spirit, and Compassion Paperback – November 1, 2018
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Drawing on myth, folklore, poetry, and the tales of Celtic gods and heroes, this little book is an invitation to readers to explore the spiritual tradition of the Celtic peoples--a tradition rooted in hospitality and one that is of growing importance in these increasingly fractured and troubled times.
An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom is divided into three parts:
- The Celtic Mystery: In this section McColman illustrates the mystery inherent in the Celtic spiritual path with a brief discussion of the three streams of Celtic spirituality and an introduction to thin places and holy wells.
- The Celtic Saints: McColman explores how faith in the Celtic saints is rooted in the desert spirituality of the early Christian tradition. Also included are profiles of Patrick, Brendan, and Bridget.
- How to Walk the Celtic Path: In this section the author explores hospitality, spiritual direction story-telling, spiritual power, and the Grail.
McColman has written a splendid intro to a spiritual path that will appeal to both believers and seekers who are interested in all things Celtic.
- Print length208 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHampton Roads Publishing
- Publication dateNovember 1, 2018
- Dimensions5 x 0.75 x 7 inches
- ISBN-101571747923
- ISBN-13978-1571747921
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Editorial Reviews
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"This book inspires us to say 'yes' to life by giving us tasters of Celtic spiritual treasures. Carl McColman is a true shanachie -- he loves telling stories that make our hearts sing. This book speaks into A New American Dream that I encountered during visits to USA indigenous peoples. A 'return voyage' of humble people like Brendan, re-motivated by the white people's indigenous tribes, will help us to see the Creator's imprints in the earth and her peoples rather than trample them down." --Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian, The international Community of Aidan and Hilda www.aidanandhilda.org, and author of Daily Light from the Christian Saints: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life and Celtic Christianity (Anamchara Books), Celtic Blessings: Prayers for Everyday Life (Loyola Press), and 30 other titles
-- Ray Simpson"Franciscans recognize the headwaters of our own spiritual tradition in much of Celtic spirituality: nature based, optimistic, experiential, and much more mystical than moralistic. Carl McColman's stunning synthesis here is a great way to dive back into these wonder filled and genuinely refreshing headwaters." --Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico -- Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M.,
"This lovely little book invites you to cross the threshold into the wondrous world of Celtic spirituality, beautifully written, it would be a perfect companion for a time of retreat and reflection." --Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, author of The Soul's Slow Ripening: 12 Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred -- Christine Valters Paintner, PhD
"With warm hospitality and the voice of a savvy storyteller, Carl McColman invites the reader to the feast of Celtic wisdom and prayer. In these pages you will find a company of Celtic saints to walk with through our sacred landscapes, insights and good humor to guide you and the clear voice of an author who knows the truth and depth of this tradition. Highly recommended" --Mary C. Earle, author of Celtic Christian Spirituality and Holy Companions: Spiritual Practices from the Celtic Saints -- Mary C. Earle
"If you have been looking for a cup to dip into the deep well of Celtic spirituality, you have found it in this book. McColman knows better than to try to quench your thirst. Instead, he offers such brimming sips of Celtic storytelling, hospitality, soul friendship, and earthly blessing that you are bound to set off in search of more." --Barbara Brown Taylor, author of Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others -- Barbara Brown Taylor
"McColman (The Big Book of Christian Mysticism), member of a Lay Cistercian contemplative community under the guidance of Trappist monks, concisely describes Celtic Christianity in this inviting book. Claiming that Celtic sects are often overlooked in Christian texts and considered to be more myth than serious theology, he lays out the lore of the early peoples of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Brittany. McColman takes short dips into Celtic folklore, Gaelic prayers, and Irish poetry, and charts Celtic spirituality’s deep roots in mysticism and storytelling. With traditions such as the three lents (three separate lent periods) and “thin places” (places where the sacred and profane meld), the early Christian Celts structured rituals around hospitality, monastic rites, and everyday compassion. Living at the so-called “edge of waiting” between the physical and spiritual worlds, the Celts honored the mystery of God and viewed the island Éire as situated as the edge of the known world—a fact McColman believes contributes to Celtic emphasis on contemplative prayer and worship of the land. This sound overview of Celtic Christianity will appeal to those with little prior knowledge of Celtic traditions." --Publishers Weekly (Nov. 2018) ― Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Carl McColman lives near Atlanta, Georgia, where he is a member of the Lay Cistercians of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit—a contemplative community under the spiritual guidance of Trappist monks. He is the author of Answering the Contemplative Call and The Big Book of Christian Mysticism. Carl frequently leads workshops and retreats on contemplative spirituality at churches, seminaries, monasteries, and retreat centers. Visit him at www.CarlMcColman.net
Product details
- Publisher : Hampton Roads Publishing (November 1, 2018)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 208 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1571747923
- ISBN-13 : 978-1571747921
- Item Weight : 7.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5 x 0.75 x 7 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,241,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #596 in Celtic Religions (Books)
- #3,067 in Spiritualism
- #23,267 in Personal Transformation Self-Help
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Carl McColman writes about mystical Christianity, contemplative living, Celtic wisdom, and interfaith exploration. His older books explore Neopagan and Goddess spirituality; his more recent titles celebrate the joyful wisdom of the Christian mystics. Carl lives with his wife near Atlanta.
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If you have read so many books about spirituality that you have dates and places and folktales and poems and names (in two languages) bouncing around in your head, and you need a helpful guide to keep a framework around all of it, you will appreciate the clarity and simplicity of this one!
Like the shamrock, this book has three parts. They are: Celtic Mystery, the Celtic Saints, and Walking the Celtic Path. For me, much of this book served as a helpful reminder of what I had learned in other books. However, I learned something new in every chapter also. Some examples: the concept of neart, the life energy of abundance, was something I have experienced but not named in this way, so it was exciting to have a new name.
Other times something I new was underscored in a fresh way: the Celts living on the west coasts of all these places we now call the British Isles saw themselves as living on the edge of the entire world. This gave their lives zest, significance, adventure, creativity.
The Irish were unconquered by the Romans, which shaped their history, identity, and psyche differently from the peoples of continental Europe.
Another helpful chapter was the one on the connection between the desert fathers and mothers and early Celtic Christianity. How the barren places of Egypt attracted both early saints and monastics and then spread (miraculously) all the way to Ireland. For example, the story of St. Antony of Egypt meeting Paul of Thebes is depicted on numerous high crosses.
The most important part of the book, however, is the spirit that guides it, and therefore beckons the reader, to a quieter contemplation and a more vigorous set of acts of devotion, kindness, peace, and justice.
P.S. I love the size of type in this book. The publisher has created the cover, font, and all design features that honors the traditions of the lands that produced and still honor The Book of Kells.